AuthorTopic: 50 Books in 2016 (Read 8514 times)

Why is Rand talking about "blacks," "poor", "white," "communists" etc. in the first place? She's grouping people into a collective instead of treating them as individuals and thus violating her own principles.

What gives her the right to characterize a group of blacks at a sit-in as a collective group campaigning for collective rights, instead of a bunch of individual Rosa Parks who are just don't feel like sitting on the back of the bus?

1. "Fangirl" - Rainbow Rowell - I think I've turned into a Rainbow Rowell fangirl. Sigh.2. "The Overlook" - Michael Connelly - That was an abrupt ending.3. "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" - Benjamin Alire Saenz - This was a beautiful coming of age story. Didn't hurt that I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda. I've enjoyed spending a week with him in my car.4. "Martini Man: The Life of Dean Martin" - William Schoell - I'm sure that there are much better biographies than this one for Dino's life. I learned a few things, but I don't think that this author interviewed many important people in Dean's life. He seemed to put more effort into the movie reviews than anything else. Even the photos were second or third tier. Ended up skimming most of the book. Meh.5. "Clever Girl" - Tessa Hadley6. "Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener" - M.C. Beaton (audiobook) - Thought I'd give this series one more go and I regret it. At least it was an audiobook.7. "The Clasp" - Sloane Crosley8. "The Bottoms" - Joe R. Lansdale - This is my first time reading anything by Lansdale and I'm ashamed of myself. GOOD, good stuff here. This book was "To Kill a Mockingbird" with a Stephen King twist to me.9. "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" - David Sedaris (audiobook) - David goes a little dark there at the end with the short essays that aren't autobiographical. I can see why this book received some harsh reviews. But, it was mostly my cup of tea.10. "The Drop" - Michael Connelly (audiobook) - Just felt like spending some time with Harry Bosch again even though I've already read this one. Good traffic companion and traffic has been SHIT lately.11. "Blonde Faith" - Walter Mosley - the Easy Rawlins book that comes before "Little Green". Somehow I had missed this one. Not enough Mouse.12. "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" - Walter Mosley (audiobook) - This is not an Easy Rawlins book. Somehow, I had never heard of this Mosley character, Socrates Fortlow. He's a complicated cat as detailed in these short stories. Loved the voice of the narrator.13. "Modern Romance" - Aziz Ansari - Interesting and funny, though I did end up skimming some sections. Recommended to my friend who is struggling now with online dating. If you're in that boat, it's probably an encouraging read.14. "Saint Mazie" - Jami Attenberg“We all lose sometimes. Life’s plenty easy when you’re winning. It’s what you do when you’re down. That’s the real test.”15. "The Crossing" - Michael Connelly - What will Harry Bosch do now that he is really retired from the LAPD? Help his half-brother, Mickey Haller, of course.16. "Guilt by Association" - Marcia Clark - Not bad, Clark. I do hate this character's relationship with food. It was something that struck me as super annoying EVERY TIME she brought it up. A weird thing to pick as a character trait. But, the cases were interesting enough to keep me reading.17. "My Mother Was Nuts" - Penny Marshall - A fun read. Lots of stuff I never knew!18. "The Brightest Star in the Sky" - Marian Keyes - This was the first time I've read one of her books. But, she seems to be popping up in my FB feed and the main character in ME BEFORE YOU was reading one of her books in the movie.

19. "Necessary Lies" - Diane Chamberlain - I don't remember how I came across this book, but it was definitely interesting. Historical fiction that spins around the Eugenics program in NC in the 60s. This book got me all fired up about reproductive rights for sure.20. "Yes, Please" - Amy Poehler (audiobook) - Special guest readers are Kathleen Turner, Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, Patrick Stewart, and Amy's parents. Good stuff. Never knew she was such a pot head. Loved her suggested titles for helpful books about divorce.

Why is Rand talking about "blacks," "poor", "white," "communists" etc. in the first place? She's grouping people into a collective instead of treating them as individuals and thus violating her own principles.

What gives her the right to characterize a group of blacks at a sit-in as a collective group campaigning for collective rights, instead of a bunch of individual Rosa Parks who are just don't feel like sitting on the back of the bus?

i knew you wouldn't let me off that easy.

well, i'm sure this is just going to annoy you. those are your words, correct? you're suggesting that people rallying together for their freedom is what she would call collectivism? she might have said or alluded to that. i'm not going to pretend i can speak on her behalf. she might be and probably is a hypocrite. but i think you're being petty here considering what else she had to say.

you're suggesting that people rallying together for their freedom is what she would call collectivism?

I'm suggesting that Rand characterizes things however she wants.

Like when she suggested that the mass genocide of Native Americans was necessary because THEY were all racist. See, the Native Americans had this idea that the land belonged to them by virtue of their culture or heritage and having been on it first or something. Which essentially made them racists. Also, they liked to commune with nature and save it for future generations which is very collectivist. All they were doing on it was a bit of hunting, maybe planting a few crops. Even though there was copper and timber to be had at great profits. So they were looters, too.

Whereas the White Europeans would generate the most profit out of the land, and that profit would go to the most Galti-est of individuals, and thus a higher state of being could be achieved. It was therefore their moral duty to destroy the Native Americans, otherwise the looters win.

And the evidence of our actions being justified was the ease by which we slaughtered them. And that everyone lives longer and listens to better music like Rachmaninoff. The stronger and more enlightened beings survived.

Now you might think that okay, maybe Rand got this one wrong but there's nothing wrong with her philosophy. I'm just shooting the messenger.

Except the problem is, her philosophy directly leads to this kind of thinking.

Basically it's Rand's contention that racism and most other evils exist because we are too tolerant of those who think differently than us. They are wrong, and we should stamp them out but fail to do so.

I feel like racism and most other evils exists because there are too many intolerant assholes like Rand who think that anyone who thinks differently than them are wrong and need to be stamped out.

she doesn't carry as much weight with me as she used to and it has nothing to do with what she says. it's what i take from it. you can't choose your audience. you can cater for sure, but what's that about? original thought provoking original thought. you gotta admit she was a revolutionary. i'm not sidetracking. you are more versed in her work than i am (what does that say about you? ). through no effort of your own, this is the last book i'm going to read of hers. it was interesting hearing her speak outside of characters but i found her novels too much fun. you weren't supposed to say those things. people are flawed. that's the most you can expect from them. what philosopher is right?

1. "Fangirl" - Rainbow Rowell - I think I've turned into a Rainbow Rowell fangirl. Sigh.2. "The Overlook" - Michael Connelly - That was an abrupt ending.3. "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" - Benjamin Alire Saenz - This was a beautiful coming of age story. Didn't hurt that I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda. I've enjoyed spending a week with him in my car.4. "Martini Man: The Life of Dean Martin" - William Schoell - I'm sure that there are much better biographies than this one for Dino's life. I learned a few things, but I don't think that this author interviewed many important people in Dean's life. He seemed to put more effort into the movie reviews than anything else. Even the photos were second or third tier. Ended up skimming most of the book. Meh.5. "Clever Girl" - Tessa Hadley6. "Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener" - M.C. Beaton (audiobook) - Thought I'd give this series one more go and I regret it. At least it was an audiobook.7. "The Clasp" - Sloane Crosley8. "The Bottoms" - Joe R. Lansdale - This is my first time reading anything by Lansdale and I'm ashamed of myself. GOOD, good stuff here. This book was "To Kill a Mockingbird" with a Stephen King twist to me.9. "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" - David Sedaris (audiobook) - David goes a little dark there at the end with the short essays that aren't autobiographical. I can see why this book received some harsh reviews. But, it was mostly my cup of tea.10. "The Drop" - Michael Connelly (audiobook) - Just felt like spending some time with Harry Bosch again even though I've already read this one. Good traffic companion and traffic has been SHIT lately.11. "Blonde Faith" - Walter Mosley - the Easy Rawlins book that comes before "Little Green". Somehow I had missed this one. Not enough Mouse.12. "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" - Walter Mosley (audiobook) - This is not an Easy Rawlins book. Somehow, I had never heard of this Mosley character, Socrates Fortlow. He's a complicated cat as detailed in these short stories. Loved the voice of the narrator.13. "Modern Romance" - Aziz Ansari - Interesting and funny, though I did end up skimming some sections. Recommended to my friend who is struggling now with online dating. If you're in that boat, it's probably an encouraging read.14. "Saint Mazie" - Jami Attenberg“We all lose sometimes. Life’s plenty easy when you’re winning. It’s what you do when you’re down. That’s the real test.”15. "The Crossing" - Michael Connelly - What will Harry Bosch do now that he is really retired from the LAPD? Help his half-brother, Mickey Haller, of course.16. "Guilt by Association" - Marcia Clark - Not bad, Clark. I do hate this character's relationship with food. It was something that struck me as super annoying EVERY TIME she brought it up. A weird thing to pick as a character trait. But, the cases were interesting enough to keep me reading.17. "My Mother Was Nuts" - Penny Marshall - A fun read. Lots of stuff I never knew!18. "The Brightest Star in the Sky" - Marian Keyes - This was the first time I've read one of her books. But, she seems to be popping up in my FB feed and the main character in ME BEFORE YOU was reading one of her books in the movie.19. "Necessary Lies" - Diane Chamberlain - I don't remember how I came across this book, but it was definitely interesting. Historical fiction that spins around the Eugenics program in NC in the 60s. This book got me all fired up about reproductive rights for sure.20. "Yes, Please" - Amy Poehler (audiobook) - Special guest readers are Kathleen Turner, Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, Patrick Stewart, and Amy's parents. Good stuff. Never knew she was such a pot head. Loved her suggested titles for helpful books about divorce.

21. "Everybody Rise" - Stephanie Clifford - If you think of social climbing as an addiction, this might be the book for you.

1. Finding Audrey--Sophie Kinsella2. Watermelon--Marian Keyes3. The Treatment--Suzanne Young4. Jesse's Girl--Miranda Kenneally5. A Good Place to Hide: How One French Village Saved Thousands of Lives During World War II--Peter Grose6. Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children--Ransom Riggs7. Winter Time: Memoirs of a German Sinto who Survived Auschwitz--Walter Stanoski Winter 8. The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B--Teresa Toten9. The Boy in the Black Suit--Jason Reynolds10. Hana's Suitcase: A True Story--Karen Levine11. The Weight of Feathers--Anna-Marie McLemore12. Bone Gap--Laura Ruby13. Grave Secrets--Kathy Reichs14. Wonders of the Invisible World--Christopher Barzak15. Hollow City--Ransom Riggs16. Finding Forever--Ken Baker17. In the Unlikely Event--Judy Blume18. NYPD Red 4--James Patterson19. Private Paris--James Patterson20. X--Ilyasah Shabazz21. Stones on a Grave--Kathy Kacer22. Tapestry of Hope: Holocaust Writing for Young People--Lillian Boraks-Nemetz23. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda--Becky Albertalli24. As Time Goes By--Mary Higgins Clark25. Because You'll Never Meet Me--Leah Thomas26. Children of the Slaughter: Young People of the Holocaust--Ted Gottfried

1. "Fangirl" - Rainbow Rowell - I think I've turned into a Rainbow Rowell fangirl. Sigh.2. "The Overlook" - Michael Connelly - That was an abrupt ending.3. "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" - Benjamin Alire Saenz - This was a beautiful coming of age story. Didn't hurt that I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda. I've enjoyed spending a week with him in my car.4. "Martini Man: The Life of Dean Martin" - William Schoell - I'm sure that there are much better biographies than this one for Dino's life. I learned a few things, but I don't think that this author interviewed many important people in Dean's life. He seemed to put more effort into the movie reviews than anything else. Even the photos were second or third tier. Ended up skimming most of the book. Meh.5. "Clever Girl" - Tessa Hadley6. "Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener" - M.C. Beaton (audiobook) - Thought I'd give this series one more go and I regret it. At least it was an audiobook.7. "The Clasp" - Sloane Crosley8. "The Bottoms" - Joe R. Lansdale - This is my first time reading anything by Lansdale and I'm ashamed of myself. GOOD, good stuff here. This book was "To Kill a Mockingbird" with a Stephen King twist to me.9. "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" - David Sedaris (audiobook) - David goes a little dark there at the end with the short essays that aren't autobiographical. I can see why this book received some harsh reviews. But, it was mostly my cup of tea.10. "The Drop" - Michael Connelly (audiobook) - Just felt like spending some time with Harry Bosch again even though I've already read this one. Good traffic companion and traffic has been SHIT lately.11. "Blonde Faith" - Walter Mosley - the Easy Rawlins book that comes before "Little Green". Somehow I had missed this one. Not enough Mouse.12. "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" - Walter Mosley (audiobook) - This is not an Easy Rawlins book. Somehow, I had never heard of this Mosley character, Socrates Fortlow. He's a complicated cat as detailed in these short stories. Loved the voice of the narrator.13. "Modern Romance" - Aziz Ansari - Interesting and funny, though I did end up skimming some sections. Recommended to my friend who is struggling now with online dating. If you're in that boat, it's probably an encouraging read.14. "Saint Mazie" - Jami Attenberg“We all lose sometimes. Life’s plenty easy when you’re winning. It’s what you do when you’re down. That’s the real test.”15. "The Crossing" - Michael Connelly - What will Harry Bosch do now that he is really retired from the LAPD? Help his half-brother, Mickey Haller, of course.16. "Guilt by Association" - Marcia Clark - Not bad, Clark. I do hate this character's relationship with food. It was something that struck me as super annoying EVERY TIME she brought it up. A weird thing to pick as a character trait. But, the cases were interesting enough to keep me reading.17. "My Mother Was Nuts" - Penny Marshall - A fun read. Lots of stuff I never knew!18. "The Brightest Star in the Sky" - Marian Keyes - This was the first time I've read one of her books. But, she seems to be popping up in my FB feed and the main character in ME BEFORE YOU was reading one of her books in the movie.19. "Necessary Lies" - Diane Chamberlain - I don't remember how I came across this book, but it was definitely interesting. Historical fiction that spins around the Eugenics program in NC in the 60s. This book got me all fired up about reproductive rights for sure.20. "Yes, Please" - Amy Poehler (audiobook) - Special guest readers are Kathleen Turner, Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, Patrick Stewart, and Amy's parents. Good stuff. Never knew she was such a pot head. Loved her suggested titles for helpful books about divorce.21. "Everybody Rise" - Stephanie Clifford - If you think of social climbing as an addiction, this might be the book for you.

Kaling's book was ho-hum. Charming in spots, but nothing much worth discussing.

Bryson's book was easily the most boring of the three I've read from him (Notes from a Small Island; A Walk in the Woods - both fantastic). It's from 1987-1988 and he's traveling around the USA in a car. I felt like it was an interesting book from a historical point of view about the way the country was in the late 80s and what was on people's minds, but other than that it's more about seeing how Bryson's writing wasn't just quite there yet. He gets better later in life, and there are snippets of his brilliance in this, but I honestly didn't care much for what he focused on and the stuff he talked about.

1. "Fangirl" - Rainbow Rowell - I think I've turned into a Rainbow Rowell fangirl. Sigh.2. "The Overlook" - Michael Connelly - That was an abrupt ending.3. "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" - Benjamin Alire Saenz - This was a beautiful coming of age story. Didn't hurt that I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda. I've enjoyed spending a week with him in my car.4. "Martini Man: The Life of Dean Martin" - William Schoell - I'm sure that there are much better biographies than this one for Dino's life. I learned a few things, but I don't think that this author interviewed many important people in Dean's life. He seemed to put more effort into the movie reviews than anything else. Even the photos were second or third tier. Ended up skimming most of the book. Meh.5. "Clever Girl" - Tessa Hadley6. "Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener" - M.C. Beaton (audiobook) - Thought I'd give this series one more go and I regret it. At least it was an audiobook.7. "The Clasp" - Sloane Crosley8. "The Bottoms" - Joe R. Lansdale - This is my first time reading anything by Lansdale and I'm ashamed of myself. GOOD, good stuff here. This book was "To Kill a Mockingbird" with a Stephen King twist to me.9. "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" - David Sedaris (audiobook) - David goes a little dark there at the end with the short essays that aren't autobiographical. I can see why this book received some harsh reviews. But, it was mostly my cup of tea.10. "The Drop" - Michael Connelly (audiobook) - Just felt like spending some time with Harry Bosch again even though I've already read this one. Good traffic companion and traffic has been SHIT lately.11. "Blonde Faith" - Walter Mosley - the Easy Rawlins book that comes before "Little Green". Somehow I had missed this one. Not enough Mouse.12. "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" - Walter Mosley (audiobook) - This is not an Easy Rawlins book. Somehow, I had never heard of this Mosley character, Socrates Fortlow. He's a complicated cat as detailed in these short stories. Loved the voice of the narrator.13. "Modern Romance" - Aziz Ansari - Interesting and funny, though I did end up skimming some sections. Recommended to my friend who is struggling now with online dating. If you're in that boat, it's probably an encouraging read.14. "Saint Mazie" - Jami Attenberg“We all lose sometimes. Life’s plenty easy when you’re winning. It’s what you do when you’re down. That’s the real test.”15. "The Crossing" - Michael Connelly - What will Harry Bosch do now that he is really retired from the LAPD? Help his half-brother, Mickey Haller, of course.16. "Guilt by Association" - Marcia Clark - Not bad, Clark. I do hate this character's relationship with food. It was something that struck me as super annoying EVERY TIME she brought it up. A weird thing to pick as a character trait. But, the cases were interesting enough to keep me reading.17. "My Mother Was Nuts" - Penny Marshall - A fun read. Lots of stuff I never knew!18. "The Brightest Star in the Sky" - Marian Keyes - This was the first time I've read one of her books. But, she seems to be popping up in my FB feed and the main character in ME BEFORE YOU was reading one of her books in the movie.19. "Necessary Lies" - Diane Chamberlain - I don't remember how I came across this book, but it was definitely interesting. Historical fiction that spins around the Eugenics program in NC in the 60s. This book got me all fired up about reproductive rights for sure.20. "Yes, Please" - Amy Poehler (audiobook) - Special guest readers are Kathleen Turner, Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, Patrick Stewart, and Amy's parents. Good stuff. Never knew she was such a pot head. Loved her suggested titles for helpful books about divorce.21. "Everybody Rise" - Stephanie Clifford - If you think of social climbing as an addiction, this might be the book for you.22. "Two Summers" - Aimee Friedman - SLIDING DOORS for the teen set. I enjoyed it.

23. "The Passenger" - Lisa Lutz - I will always be unhappy that her newest book isn't a new Spellman book but I will always be happy that she keeps putting out any books every year or so. She's my kind of curmudgeon. I was afraid this would get to be too "Gone Girl" or "Girl on the Train" or whatever. But, she walked that fine line on the right side.

1. "Fangirl" - Rainbow Rowell - I think I've turned into a Rainbow Rowell fangirl. Sigh.2. "The Overlook" - Michael Connelly - That was an abrupt ending.3. "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" - Benjamin Alire Saenz - This was a beautiful coming of age story. Didn't hurt that I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda. I've enjoyed spending a week with him in my car.4. "Martini Man: The Life of Dean Martin" - William Schoell - I'm sure that there are much better biographies than this one for Dino's life. I learned a few things, but I don't think that this author interviewed many important people in Dean's life. He seemed to put more effort into the movie reviews than anything else. Even the photos were second or third tier. Ended up skimming most of the book. Meh.5. "Clever Girl" - Tessa Hadley6. "Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener" - M.C. Beaton (audiobook) - Thought I'd give this series one more go and I regret it. At least it was an audiobook.7. "The Clasp" - Sloane Crosley8. "The Bottoms" - Joe R. Lansdale - This is my first time reading anything by Lansdale and I'm ashamed of myself. GOOD, good stuff here. This book was "To Kill a Mockingbird" with a Stephen King twist to me.9. "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" - David Sedaris (audiobook) - David goes a little dark there at the end with the short essays that aren't autobiographical. I can see why this book received some harsh reviews. But, it was mostly my cup of tea.10. "The Drop" - Michael Connelly (audiobook) - Just felt like spending some time with Harry Bosch again even though I've already read this one. Good traffic companion and traffic has been SHIT lately.11. "Blonde Faith" - Walter Mosley - the Easy Rawlins book that comes before "Little Green". Somehow I had missed this one. Not enough Mouse.12. "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" - Walter Mosley (audiobook) - This is not an Easy Rawlins book. Somehow, I had never heard of this Mosley character, Socrates Fortlow. He's a complicated cat as detailed in these short stories. Loved the voice of the narrator.13. "Modern Romance" - Aziz Ansari - Interesting and funny, though I did end up skimming some sections. Recommended to my friend who is struggling now with online dating. If you're in that boat, it's probably an encouraging read.14. "Saint Mazie" - Jami Attenberg“We all lose sometimes. Life’s plenty easy when you’re winning. It’s what you do when you’re down. That’s the real test.”15. "The Crossing" - Michael Connelly - What will Harry Bosch do now that he is really retired from the LAPD? Help his half-brother, Mickey Haller, of course.16. "Guilt by Association" - Marcia Clark - Not bad, Clark. I do hate this character's relationship with food. It was something that struck me as super annoying EVERY TIME she brought it up. A weird thing to pick as a character trait. But, the cases were interesting enough to keep me reading.17. "My Mother Was Nuts" - Penny Marshall - A fun read. Lots of stuff I never knew!18. "The Brightest Star in the Sky" - Marian Keyes - This was the first time I've read one of her books. But, she seems to be popping up in my FB feed and the main character in ME BEFORE YOU was reading one of her books in the movie.19. "Necessary Lies" - Diane Chamberlain - I don't remember how I came across this book, but it was definitely interesting. Historical fiction that spins around the Eugenics program in NC in the 60s. This book got me all fired up about reproductive rights for sure.20. "Yes, Please" - Amy Poehler (audiobook) - Special guest readers are Kathleen Turner, Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, Patrick Stewart, and Amy's parents. Good stuff. Never knew she was such a pot head. Loved her suggested titles for helpful books about divorce.21. "Everybody Rise" - Stephanie Clifford - If you think of social climbing as an addiction, this might be the book for you.22. "Two Summers" - Aimee Friedman - SLIDING DOORS for the teen set. I enjoyed it.23. "The Passenger" - Lisa Lutz - I will always be unhappy that her newest book isn't a new Spellman book but I will always be happy that she keeps putting out any books every year or so. She's my kind of curmudgeon. I was afraid this would get to be too "Gone Girl" or "Girl on the Train" or whatever. But, she walked that fine line on the right side.

24. "Career of Evil" - Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling) - Better mystery in this one, but too much emphasis on the two main characters and their whole will they/won't they dynamic. I've already seen MOONLIGHTING. Just solve the cases.

1. "Fangirl" - Rainbow Rowell - I think I've turned into a Rainbow Rowell fangirl. Sigh.2. "The Overlook" - Michael Connelly - That was an abrupt ending.3. "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" - Benjamin Alire Saenz - This was a beautiful coming of age story. Didn't hurt that I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda. I've enjoyed spending a week with him in my car.4. "Martini Man: The Life of Dean Martin" - William Schoell - I'm sure that there are much better biographies than this one for Dino's life. I learned a few things, but I don't think that this author interviewed many important people in Dean's life. He seemed to put more effort into the movie reviews than anything else. Even the photos were second or third tier. Ended up skimming most of the book. Meh.5. "Clever Girl" - Tessa Hadley6. "Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener" - M.C. Beaton (audiobook) - Thought I'd give this series one more go and I regret it. At least it was an audiobook.7. "The Clasp" - Sloane Crosley8. "The Bottoms" - Joe R. Lansdale - This is my first time reading anything by Lansdale and I'm ashamed of myself. GOOD, good stuff here. This book was "To Kill a Mockingbird" with a Stephen King twist to me.9. "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" - David Sedaris (audiobook) - David goes a little dark there at the end with the short essays that aren't autobiographical. I can see why this book received some harsh reviews. But, it was mostly my cup of tea.10. "The Drop" - Michael Connelly (audiobook) - Just felt like spending some time with Harry Bosch again even though I've already read this one. Good traffic companion and traffic has been SHIT lately.11. "Blonde Faith" - Walter Mosley - the Easy Rawlins book that comes before "Little Green". Somehow I had missed this one. Not enough Mouse.12. "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" - Walter Mosley (audiobook) - This is not an Easy Rawlins book. Somehow, I had never heard of this Mosley character, Socrates Fortlow. He's a complicated cat as detailed in these short stories. Loved the voice of the narrator.13. "Modern Romance" - Aziz Ansari - Interesting and funny, though I did end up skimming some sections. Recommended to my friend who is struggling now with online dating. If you're in that boat, it's probably an encouraging read.14. "Saint Mazie" - Jami Attenberg“We all lose sometimes. Life’s plenty easy when you’re winning. It’s what you do when you’re down. That’s the real test.”15. "The Crossing" - Michael Connelly - What will Harry Bosch do now that he is really retired from the LAPD? Help his half-brother, Mickey Haller, of course.16. "Guilt by Association" - Marcia Clark - Not bad, Clark. I do hate this character's relationship with food. It was something that struck me as super annoying EVERY TIME she brought it up. A weird thing to pick as a character trait. But, the cases were interesting enough to keep me reading.17. "My Mother Was Nuts" - Penny Marshall - A fun read. Lots of stuff I never knew!18. "The Brightest Star in the Sky" - Marian Keyes - This was the first time I've read one of her books. But, she seems to be popping up in my FB feed and the main character in ME BEFORE YOU was reading one of her books in the movie.19. "Necessary Lies" - Diane Chamberlain - I don't remember how I came across this book, but it was definitely interesting. Historical fiction that spins around the Eugenics program in NC in the 60s. This book got me all fired up about reproductive rights for sure.20. "Yes, Please" - Amy Poehler (audiobook) - Special guest readers are Kathleen Turner, Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, Patrick Stewart, and Amy's parents. Good stuff. Never knew she was such a pot head. Loved her suggested titles for helpful books about divorce.21. "Everybody Rise" - Stephanie Clifford - If you think of social climbing as an addiction, this might be the book for you.22. "Two Summers" - Aimee Friedman - SLIDING DOORS for the teen set. I enjoyed it.23. "The Passenger" - Lisa Lutz - I will always be unhappy that her newest book isn't a new Spellman book but I will always be happy that she keeps putting out any books every year or so. She's my kind of curmudgeon. I was afraid this would get to be too "Gone Girl" or "Girl on the Train" or whatever. But, she walked that fine line on the right side.24. "Career of Evil" - Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling) - Better mystery in this one, but too much emphasis on the two main characters and their whole will they/won't they dynamic. I've already seen MOONLIGHTING. Just solve the cases.

25. "Wonder" - R.J. Palacio - A lovely YA read about choosing kindness. I love the world of characters that this author created.

1. "Fangirl" - Rainbow Rowell - I think I've turned into a Rainbow Rowell fangirl. Sigh.2. "The Overlook" - Michael Connelly - That was an abrupt ending.3. "Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe" - Benjamin Alire Saenz - This was a beautiful coming of age story. Didn't hurt that I listened to the audiobook narrated by Lin-Manuel Miranda. I've enjoyed spending a week with him in my car.4. "Martini Man: The Life of Dean Martin" - William Schoell - I'm sure that there are much better biographies than this one for Dino's life. I learned a few things, but I don't think that this author interviewed many important people in Dean's life. He seemed to put more effort into the movie reviews than anything else. Even the photos were second or third tier. Ended up skimming most of the book. Meh.5. "Clever Girl" - Tessa Hadley6. "Agatha Raisin and the Potted Gardener" - M.C. Beaton (audiobook) - Thought I'd give this series one more go and I regret it. At least it was an audiobook.7. "The Clasp" - Sloane Crosley8. "The Bottoms" - Joe R. Lansdale - This is my first time reading anything by Lansdale and I'm ashamed of myself. GOOD, good stuff here. This book was "To Kill a Mockingbird" with a Stephen King twist to me.9. "Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls" - David Sedaris (audiobook) - David goes a little dark there at the end with the short essays that aren't autobiographical. I can see why this book received some harsh reviews. But, it was mostly my cup of tea.10. "The Drop" - Michael Connelly (audiobook) - Just felt like spending some time with Harry Bosch again even though I've already read this one. Good traffic companion and traffic has been SHIT lately.11. "Blonde Faith" - Walter Mosley - the Easy Rawlins book that comes before "Little Green". Somehow I had missed this one. Not enough Mouse.12. "Always Outnumbered, Always Outgunned" - Walter Mosley (audiobook) - This is not an Easy Rawlins book. Somehow, I had never heard of this Mosley character, Socrates Fortlow. He's a complicated cat as detailed in these short stories. Loved the voice of the narrator.13. "Modern Romance" - Aziz Ansari - Interesting and funny, though I did end up skimming some sections. Recommended to my friend who is struggling now with online dating. If you're in that boat, it's probably an encouraging read.14. "Saint Mazie" - Jami Attenberg“We all lose sometimes. Life’s plenty easy when you’re winning. It’s what you do when you’re down. That’s the real test.”15. "The Crossing" - Michael Connelly - What will Harry Bosch do now that he is really retired from the LAPD? Help his half-brother, Mickey Haller, of course.16. "Guilt by Association" - Marcia Clark - Not bad, Clark. I do hate this character's relationship with food. It was something that struck me as super annoying EVERY TIME she brought it up. A weird thing to pick as a character trait. But, the cases were interesting enough to keep me reading.17. "My Mother Was Nuts" - Penny Marshall - A fun read. Lots of stuff I never knew!18. "The Brightest Star in the Sky" - Marian Keyes - This was the first time I've read one of her books. But, she seems to be popping up in my FB feed and the main character in ME BEFORE YOU was reading one of her books in the movie.19. "Necessary Lies" - Diane Chamberlain - I don't remember how I came across this book, but it was definitely interesting. Historical fiction that spins around the Eugenics program in NC in the 60s. This book got me all fired up about reproductive rights for sure.20. "Yes, Please" - Amy Poehler (audiobook) - Special guest readers are Kathleen Turner, Seth Meyers, Carol Burnett, Patrick Stewart, and Amy's parents. Good stuff. Never knew she was such a pot head. Loved her suggested titles for helpful books about divorce.21. "Everybody Rise" - Stephanie Clifford - If you think of social climbing as an addiction, this might be the book for you.22. "Two Summers" - Aimee Friedman - SLIDING DOORS for the teen set. I enjoyed it.23. "The Passenger" - Lisa Lutz - I will always be unhappy that her newest book isn't a new Spellman book but I will always be happy that she keeps putting out any books every year or so. She's my kind of curmudgeon. I was afraid this would get to be too "Gone Girl" or "Girl on the Train" or whatever. But, she walked that fine line on the right side.24. "Career of Evil" - Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling) - Better mystery in this one, but too much emphasis on the two main characters and their whole will they/won't they dynamic. I've already seen MOONLIGHTING. Just solve the cases.25. "Wonder" - R.J. Palacio - A lovely YA read about choosing kindness. I love the world of characters that this author created.

25 1/2. "The Julian Chapter" - R.J. Palacio - Hardly worth counting if you go by number of pages. But, I love that even the bully got to tell his side of the story (even if his grandmother's story was the heart of the chapter).